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Colombia arrests wife and daughter of Ecuadorian gang leader Fito
Colombian authorities, in a joint operation with the FBI and Ecuadorian agencies, arrested Inda Mariela Peñarrieta Tuárez and Michelle Jamileth Macías Peñarrieta in Sabana de Torres, Santander. The two women, identified as the wife and daughter of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias Fito, were subject to Interpol Red Notices.
Peñarrieta and Macías are accused by Ecuadorian justice of money laundering exceeding 25 million dollars through the use of shell companies. This investigation, known as Blanqueo Fito, targets the financial structure of Los Choneros, one of Ecuador's most powerful criminal organizations.
Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella stated that the detainees will be transferred to Ecuador to face justice, emphasizing that Colombia will not serve as a haven for transnational criminal finances. Fito, the leader of Los Choneros, was previously extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
Entities
Abelardo De La Espriella · FBI · Inda Mariela Peñarrieta Tuárez · José Adolfo Macías Villamar · Los Choneros · Michelle Jamileth Macías Peñarrieta
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 23 SOURCES] The women were subject to Interpol Red Notices. elnuevodiario.com.do · www.minuto30.com · contextohn.com · elsolnewsmedia.com · montecristinoticias.com · +15 more
- [● 29 SOURCES] The capture took place in Sabana de Torres, Santander, Colombia. elnuevodiario.com.do · www.minuto30.com · contextohn.com · montecristinoticias.com · notimercio.ec · +21 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] Fito is the leader of the Los Choneros criminal organization. elnuevodiario.com.do · www.minuto30.com · contextohn.com · montecristinoticias.com · notimercio.ec · +22 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] The women are required by Ecuador for investigations into alleged money laundering. www.minuto30.com · contextohn.com · montecristinoticias.com · notimercio.ec · deultimominuto.com · +22 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] Fito was extradited to the United States in July 2025. elnuevodiario.com.do · contextohn.com · montecristinoticias.com · notimercio.ec · deultimominuto.com · +22 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] The operation involved the Colombian Police, Army, Prosecutor's Office, FBI, and Ecuadorian authorities. elnuevodiario.com.do · www.minuto30.com · contextohn.com · montecristinoticias.com · notimercio.ec · +22 more
- [● 30 SOURCES] Inda Peñarrieta and Michelle Macías Peñarrieta were captured in Colombia. elnuevodiario.com.do · contextohn.com · montecristinoticias.com · notimercio.ec · deultimominuto.com · +22 more
- [● 26 SOURCES] The women were identified as the wife and daughter of José Adolfo Macías Villamar, alias Fito. elnuevodiario.com.do · www.minuto30.com · contextohn.com · montecristinoticias.com · notimercio.ec · +18 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The women are being investigated for the use of shell companies to launder money for the organization. notimercio.ec · rdnvenezuela.com · www.elcomercio.com · www.extra.ec · elmercurio.com.ec · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The women will be sent to Ecuador to face justice. notimercio.ec · rdnvenezuela.com · www.elcomercio.com · www.extra.ec · elmercurio.com.ec · +1 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] The investigation, known as Blanqueo Fito, involves more than 25 million dollars. notimercio.ec · www.extra.ec · www.elcomercio.com · www.elnuevosiglo.com.co